Israel strikes Nweiri, Hamra and Barbour in central Beirut

Lebanese state media reported a spate of Israeli air strikes on central Beirut Tuesday -- preceded by Israeli evacuation calls for the first time in two months of war -- ahead of a possible ceasefire.

The Israeli army issued evacuation warnings Tuesday for four buildings in Beirut's Zokak al-Blat, Mazraa (Nweiri), Msaitbeh, and Ras Beirut (Hamra), following an earlier strike without warning on a building housing displaced people in Nweiri - Basta al-Fawqa.

Shortly after the warnings, Israel struck Nweiri for a second time. The three other areas have not been previously targeted throughout the war.

Three people were killed in a strike on Barbour as Israeli aircraft also targeted Beirut’s commercial Hamra district near Lebanon's Central Bank.

The Israeli army said it is poised to strike Hezbollah targets there.

"You are located near facilities belonging to Hezbollah, and the Israeli (armed forces) will be conducting air strikes targeting specific floors where designated terrorist infrastructure is located," army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X that included 4 maps.

The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic in Lebanon and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas.

Traffic was gridlocked in Beirut, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead.

Near Hamra, where many displaced by the war have been staying, families were seen running away toward the Mediterranean sea’s beaches carrying their belongings.

The Israeli army had announced that it will target Hezbollah's al-Qard al-Hassan branches in the coming hours.

Israel had already targeted in October al-Qard al-Hassan financial institution in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley and the country's south.

Israel had targeted Beirut several times in recent weeks as it escalated its air campaign across Lebanon, but Tuesday was the first time it issued evacuation orders for Beirut residents.